Observations on Colorado Rapids soccer and other things soccer related…

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Monthly Archives: June 2016

With the official announcement and introduction of Tim Howard joining the Burgundy Boys earlier in the week, I figure it was time to revisit the Throwback Thursday idea and so why not go back to a previous fully bearded keeper in Rapids history in Matt Pickens.

Pickens came to the Rapids via the Chicago Fire trading his rights to the the club in 2009. Pickens featured in 116 matches from 2009-2013, playing 10,336 regular season minutes, posting a 42-43-31 record, 29 clean sheets, 313 saves and 146 goals against. Pickens post season numbers are 7 starts, 4-3-0 record, 23 saves and 3 clean sheets over 690 mins in the 2010 and 2011 seasons. Pickens was of course a key player in the Rapids MLS Cup win in 2010.

Matt Pickens only played 2 games in 2013 before suffering a broken arm, replaced then by Clint Irwin. Pickens was released by the Rapids at the start of the 2014 season, then picked up by the New England Revolution in the waiver draft, only to be traded away days later to the NASL’s Tampa Bay Rowdies. Pickens currently plays for the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the NASL.

If there is one former player I would love to see come back as a first team assistant with the club in the future or in any position, it would definitely be Pickens.

A couple of picks from the 2016 MLS Super Draft were waived today by the Colorado Rapids, announced earlier. Neither Emmanuel Appiah (1st Rd, 15th pick) and Chris Froschauer(2nd Rd, 43rd pick) featured in any games for the Rapids, both spending the 2016 season with USL affiliate, Charlotte Independence. Appiah made 2 appearances, committing one foul in 24 minutes for the Independence and Froschauer made no appearances for the Independence this season. Full story here.

I was really disappointed after watching the Rapids give away the game late to FCD and squander chances to increase their 1-0 lead or to draw level in extra time also.

The GOOD – Powers to Hairston to Badji to take a 1-0 lead in the 38th minute. Badji playing well, at times looked to be the most dangerous player on the field offensively. Hairston came on strong after replacing Serna in the 21st minute.The BAD – Dillon Serna’s injury in the 20th minute. Hairston’s pace was great, but his lack of ball control and handling skills in the open field definitely need some work. Watts lack of defense late in the game to give FCD the lead. MacMath was solid up until then also. The missed opportunity between Watts and K. Doyle on the sitter right in front of the FCD net. Dillon Powers scares me most of the time whenever he touches the ball, he’s just not quick, almost Michael Bradley-ish at times(and not in a good way). Michael Azira without Sam Cronin was a bad decision, he’s not able to do what he is capable of with Powers as his partner at D-mid. With everyone back from Copa and Euros(Gashi, Howard, Jones and Doyle), I dont see Powers in the starting 11 on Monday.

The FCDtv feed, the announcers were just horrible to listen to, how do you FCD fans listen to that garbage game in and game out?The UGLY – Officiating, or lack of it. Referee Ismail Elfath had little control of the match and was inconsistent throughout on both sides, despite issuing 6 yellow cards, 4 of those coming after the 86th minute. Also trying to figure out what Pablo is thinking with substitutions and a game plan is never a thing of beauty.

THE SUM OF IT ALL – It’s obvious or at least it felt that way to me that Pablo didnt take this game seriously as to him it was like an exhibition or a preseason scrimmage in Arizona in Febraury. In case you didnt know Pablo, Cups matter, games matter, whether it’s MLS Cup, U.S. Open Cup or whatever kind of cup you want to throw at it they each matter! They matter to fans and supporters and they should matter to the players and to the coaching staff, the front office and to ownership as well. Next up, The Timbers come to town on Monday, July 4th! See you there!